Womens Thoughts

The post-Christmas period is the ideal time to sit back and consider how to improve and increase your efforts towards a greener environment.

Any unwanted gifts from years previous and possibly this Christmas are always more than welcome at charity shops.

Consider the Freecycle network, http://www.uk.freecycle.org/  previously discussed in the Conservatory
Remember to keep Christmas cards and reuse as gift-tags next year or use the cards for reminder notes for shopping, etc. (Just cut off the message side of the card.)
Non-damaged wrapping paper, rosettes and ribbons can all be reused.

Review your address book for cards next year. Do you really need to give a card to someone you see everyday or are likely to see over the next festive period? (Is that being a bit bah-humbug?) E cards are becoming more popular and are a greener alternative.

Unwanted books, clothes, shoes and other good –condition garments can be taken to the recycle banks or to one of the many charity shops on our high streets.

Take your Christmas tree, if it’s a real one, to the council’s recycle centre for composting. Garden centres very often have a recycling scheme too. Better still, if you have a shredder, shred it down and use the wood chips on garden paths and unplanted areas. Alternatively, leave the woodchip to decompose in as big a pile as possible for a year, then use it as a mulch for acidic-loving plants (use too soon and the mulch could strip the soil of nutrients).

Start collecting egg-boxes, ready to fill them with seed potatoes, allowing them to “chit” (throw out growth shoots), ready for planting in tubs for really lovely tasting ‘earlies’.

Don’t bin food leftovers  - mince pies, cake and pastry, chop up and put out for the birds – no alcohol, though, as this can seriously dehydrate the birds.
Nuts, cheese straws can all be fed to the birds.

Robins and Wrens love crumbled cheese – put some on a path close to shrubbery as Wrens are shy-eaters. Jacket potatoes are another favourite.
Be warned - do not put any food containing meet as this will attract unwanted vermin.
Apples and Pears chopped up and thrown out, the ground-feeding Blackbirds and Thrushes will love.

For more information about feeding birds take a look at our article on Garden Birds in the Conservatory

All the food you are getting rid of will give your New Year Resolution diet a great kick start–
help to loose those few unwanted excess pounds of weight gained over the festive period!

 Related articles:- 

Chicken Diary

Are You a Green Goddess

Organic Veg Box Review